10 Ways to Get Started with Open Source

My experience tells me there are a lot of people interested in trying open source, but they don't know where to start. And the perception that you have to write code to contribute to is a barrier to that curiosity. So, I've outlined 10 ways that anyone can get started with open source — no code writing involved.

I welcome your ideas and additions. There are, without a doubt, more than 10 ways. Let's get started.

Use open source for everyday productivity. Download and install a free web browser, email client, or office and productivity suite — no matter what platform you're on. This is one of the easiest ways to start using open source software. I recommend Firefox for web browsing and Thunderbird for email. Use Libre Office for word documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, and replace Microsoft Office for free! I call these the gateway apps, because once you start using these, you’ll be turned on to other open source tools (and won't want to go back).

Join an open source project. I know that joining a project can be scary, but contributors from all experience levels are welcome. Open source communities use project managers, designers, writers, marketers, and many other types of skills to get their work done. If you’d like to introduce students to open source, here’s a great way to get started. You never know, getting involved and actively participating in an open source project could boost your resume and land you a job.

Learn how to create and nurture communities of contributors. Flip through the online book, The Open Source Way, and then share your new knowledge by starting a community or becoming a part of an existing one.

Learn to program. Notice I didn’t say "learn to write code." Scratch comes installed on some Raspberry Pi’s and is being used to teach kids how to program. I wish I had this when I was learning computer programming in college.

Fact is, there are so many ways to get started with open source. Do you remember how you got started? Share your story about your first open source experience or how you introduced someone to open source.